Claire Abel, The Caregiver’s Voice Caregiver of the Month of January 2012, still finds joy in caregiving. Read her story here and learn how she finds joy in caregiving next week when we feature Part 2. (TCV Ed.)

Finding My Own Joy in Caregiving — Part 1 of 2

Guest Post by Claire Abel

Claire Abel and her mom, Anne on Mother’s Day, 2012 (Click to enlarge)

My Mom, Anne, has lived with my husband, Lyle, and me for the last 15 1/2 years. She was 87 when she arrived, old in years, but not in spirit or her desire to live life. That was nice for me because I could take her everywhere, shopping, out to breakfast, lunch or dinner, out with friends, to concerts, visiting friends at their homes and to church. She never said ‘no’ and loved getting out if just to ride in the car.

My Mom is now 102. She is still in relatively good health and takes no medication at all, except for vitamins. However, her hearing is very bad and even with her hearing aids, she has difficulty with conversations. Her macular degeneration has deteriorated her eyesight to the point where she can no longer read and can hardly see the TV screen.

Nominate TCV’s next Caregiver of the Month.

She fills her days by listening to ‘talking books’ which I get for her from the library. She is still able to go out, but it is not easy walking down our 15 steps from her bedroom or back up them again, so we plan our days where she does not have to tackle this feat more than once a day, and only with our assistance which has been necessary for many years.

Lyle and Claire Abel with her mom, Anne (Click to enlarge)

Her memory is not what it once was and since she is completely aware of that fact, it makes her panicky at times. I told her thatbeing aware of her forgetfulness or loss of memory is a good thing and not to worry because we are here to help her with everything. People that are in an advanced state of dementia are not aware of this.

The title of one of my favorite songs is There is joy in serving Jesus.

37″Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

I am blessed that she has been able to completely care for her bodily needs for so long– cleaning herself and dressing herself with the clothes that I laid out for her. Only lately, I’ve had to step in assist her in more personal ways. This embarrasses her to a great degree. I try to assure her that I understand and that it is not easy for me either but that she should try and be thankful that her daughter cares enough to do these personal things instead of a stranger.

It is not easy for me when she takes my help as a personal insult and I do not always react in a positive manner. I am the only one doing this for her and I am turning out to be ‘the bad guy.’ At that point, I have to leave the room to ‘regroup,’ many times in tears. I do not want to say something that I will later regret because it is not necessarily what you say, but the tone of voice you use to say it. Kindness under pressure is easier to say than to do; nevertheless, it is of utmost importance.

TCV Ed.: Please return next week for Part 2 of Finding my Own Joy in Caregiving. Claire writes about her support system (Hint: only a few but treasured people) and the sources of her joy.

4 Comments

Claire AbelJuly 19, 2012 at 9:40 pm

I am touched by the beautiful comments.

I met Glenn and Jane Johnson in Butte, Montana. They own and are the host and hostess of the beautiful Bed and Breakfast there called, Toad Hall Manor. Lyle and I stayed there in 2009 while celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. We have kept in touch as friends ever since.

Jane Hoppe is the Director of Women’s Ministries at our church, Carlsbad Community Church, here in Carlsbad, California. She knows me and my mom well and sees us every Sunday. She has shown great kindness to both of us each year at our annual Christmas Luncheon. Mom and I have been co-hosting a table for the past 13 years where we “set” the entire table with our china, crystal, etc. Jane has always given us the same table in the front so Mom can see and listen with her headphones. So, her comments mean alot to me also.

Sincerely,

Claire

Jane HoppeJuly 16, 2012 at 5:38 pm

Dear Claire, I have now opened the files for both parts of your article and sent the links on to our entire Women’s Ministry Team here at CCC. We are all of an age where the reality of care giving, be it as the caregiver or the recipient, will sooner or later touch each of us. It’s important for the leadership of our church women to be aware of the role of the caregiver and “her world,” since it is ministry that we are all about. Thanks so much for your honest sharing of the gamut of emotions you experience as you lovingly care for your dear mother. My own sister-in-law cares for my 74 year old brother who has suffered from Parkinson’s disease for almost 20 years now. Often he is in a wheelchair and requires a lot of personal hygiene attention. Caregiving is definitely a ministry! May the Lord bless you richly as you go about the daily care of your mother, giving you the patience and refreshment you need to do the job, and the reward of the joy of giving such devotion to a loved one. In Him, Jane Hoppe

Jane, thank you for writing and sharing your initiative with the Women’s Ministry Team.
Many churches need to follow your lead and offer this kind of ministry to their members–to help caregivers feel they’re not alone, to help them be aware of the highs and lows of the caregiving journey, and to give strength to go on.
Any help The Caregiver’s Voice can lend in this direction, please do let me know.
Until then, a great way to recognize these caregivers is to promote The Caregiver of the Month program. See this link for more information.http://www.thecaregiversvoice.com/nominate-a-caregiver-form/ (If you click on Claire’s photo at the link provided, you’ll see that she was one of our Caregivers of the Month.)
Brenda

Glenn and Jane JohnsonJuly 14, 2012 at 6:11 pm

Claire, you are an inspiration and example for everyone who is or will someday be in the position of caretaking. Thank you for sharing your very personal and real experiences with your beautiful Mother.